This surely cannot be! The Australian ATC is the creme de la creme of ATC worldwide. Woe betide those who don't meet their exacting standards of control. I should know...I was cited for ATC violation for sending a " back on route " CPDLC message when we were LNAV captured back on the airways; we were told off for being 0.15nm off route! YBBB at their B game at that! Heavens help you when they are at the A game.
The controller would probably be stood down for not doing what he did. If you get stood down too often they take your job, and yes it is that easy to get stood down. I watched as a colleagues got stood down for not getting a read back for a diversion 1 mile right of track.
Safety culture and just culture isn't in australia anymore, you should just be greatful that some one was there to talk to because some days your on your own.